Organic
dairy farmers do their work mostly alone. And dairy work is so
demanding, it’s hard to take the time to stop and chat
with fellow farmers, to learn from each other and to keep on
top of the latest techniques in the field. The Northeast Organic
Dairy Producers Association is one place they can go to stay
in touch.
Recently the NODPA helped dairy farmers from the eastern states hook up with
similar organizations in the Midwest and West Coast. Together, the farmers then
developed a coordinated response to suggested changes in the official definition
of organic pasture land. Maintaining good communication between farmers and other
agricultural groups is one key goal of the NODPA, a goal that is becoming increasingly
important, and increasingly difficult, as the number of organic dairy farmers
in the region continues to grow rapidly.
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NODPA is also developing a comprehensive database
of all certified organic farms. Currently, nobody has a list of all farmers,
according to Sarah Flack, NODPA's coordinator. Stonyfield's Profits for
the Planet funding is helping develop that database, as well as supporting
NODPA's Field Days. Field Days gather farmers from the region for 2-day
conferences to meet each other and learn the latest news and techniques
in workshops, and were attended by more than 90 farmers last year. |
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One major project of the NODPA
was to develop a “milk check off”. Organic farmers can now
choose to give a percentage of their profits directly to the organization,
whenever a milk handler pays them for their milk. It’s easy for the
farmer and is providing a steady cash flow for the organization.
"Our biggest challenge now is to make sure all the interests of all of
our farmers are well represented in our organization," Flack said. "We
want to be able to respond quickly when we need to, when industry issues
arise and the voice of the farmer needs to be heard." |
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